Synonyms of relinquished

relinquished

verb

past tense of relinquish

1

as in surrendered

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress

the boy reluctantly relinquished the illegal fireworks to the police officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surrendered
• rendered
• delivered
• ceded
• transferred
• abandoned
• resigned
• yielded
• laid down
• turned in
• entrusted
• turned over
• handed over
• forfeited
• waived
• committed
• gave up
• released
• coughed up
• discarded
• consigned
• renounced
• deserted
• shed
• forsook
• abnegated
• parted (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retained
• kept
• withheld

2

as in resigned

to give up (as a position of authority) formally

the retiring CEO relinquished his position to the company's vice president with very mixed feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resigned
• abdicated
• renounced
• ceded
• surrendered
• denied
• vacated
• waived
• abandoned
• stepped down (from)
• stepped aside (from)
• abnegated
• disclaimed
• disavowed
• disowned
• forsook
• abjured
• demitted
• deserted
• yielded
• handed over
• gave up
• quit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• claimed
• assumed
• appropriated
• confiscated
• seized
• protected
• secured
• arrogated
• took over
• usurped
• defended
• guarded
• wrested
• safeguarded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relinquished

Although dozens of islands were claimed through this process, the overwhelming bulk of these claims were relinquished in the late 20th century as the island countries of Oceania began to achieve independence. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Panettiere had relinquished custody of Kaya to Klitschko in 2018. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Tate Nagy relinquished punt return duties to Keaton Kubecka Saturday. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Suwarso relinquished his standard four-ticket allocation for the game. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Fast forward two years, and Variety reported that Unwell had dropped Hot Mess and relinquished all rights to the show, giving Earle the freedom to pursue new opportunities. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2026

During her tenure, Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their titles; Voigt had accused Rose of a toxic workplace culture. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

While Russia has relinquished some control of the area to China following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia still plays a key role in Chinese shipping vessels’ passage through the route. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Harry and Meghan relinquished their Frogmore Cottage property in 2023 at the king’s request after the 41-year-old scion published a memoir about life in the royal family. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026